IFA Junior Cup - Round 3 Preview
November 21, 2017
The 3rd Round of this seasons Irish Junior Cup takes place this weekend, with 8 Fermanagh and Western Football League teams hoping to progress into the final 32 of the competition.
Aquinas v. Enniskillen Rangers
Dunbreen Rovers v. Sporting Ballymoney
Enniskillen Town United v. Willowbank II
Fintona Swifts v. Riada
Mountjoy United v. Lower Shankill
Newington Reserves v. Enniskillen Athletic
Strathroy Harps v. Ahoghill Thistle
Woodvale v. Lisbellaw United
There is four Fermanagh and Western Football League v Amateur League ties in this round of the competition. Holders Enniskillen Rangers have a very trick away tie to Aquinas of South Belfast, who are currently the league leaders of the Amateur League 2A Division (Top Junior Division in Greater Belfast Area) and have a 100% record this season. Mountjoy United host fellow Amateur League 2A Division side Lower Shankill in what will be a tight contest with the visitors no stranger to the latter stages of the competition, having reached the Quarter Finals stage last season. Lisbellaw United travel to 2011 winners Woodvale from Shankhill Road area of West Belfast, in what will be an extremely tough match for Andy Reilly’s men. They will need all their experience to come through this tie as it is never easy for an FWFL sides in Belfast. Enniskillen Town United should make light work of Belfast side Willowbank II at home. Rory Judge's team should be full of confidence following last weekend's excellent victory over Tummery Athletic.
Arguably the tie of the round sees two of the favourites for the competition clash at Omagh Leisure Centre, when Strathroy Harps host Ahoghill Thistle. Harps will be on a revenge mission as Ahoghill knocked them out of the competition last season under controversial circumstances. The return to action of star man Darren Teague at the weekend for Harps will come as a huge boost to Shane Horisk men and they will need him firing on all cylinders to see them past the big physical Ahoghill men.
Dunbreen Rovers host Sporting Ballymoney of the Ballymena Saturday Morning League, with home advantage hopefully seeing the Omagh side through to the next round. Fintona Swifts will be also hoping home advantage helps them against Riada from the Coleraine and District League. This will be tough encounter for the Tyrone men as the side from Ballymoney are no pushovers and knockout Dergview Reserves in Round 1 of this year’s competition. Enniskillen Athletic face a long trip to north Belfast as they travel to take on the youthful Newington Reserves side. Paul Crane’s side are in excellent form this season and they will be hoping it continues this weekend against the Premier Intermediate League sides second string.